Simplicial fibrations (Q2226202)

Although simplicial complexes antedate simplicial sets, their simplicial homotopy theory, as based on contiguity is underdeveloped, yet simplicial complexes have been shown to have many applications, for instance, in the study of aspects of applied algebraic topology (topological data analysis, image analysis, etc.), the study of the homotopy theory of finite spaces, and in the modelling and analysis of certain types of computer algorithms. This paper examines the analogues, for simplicial complexes, of notions of fibration, based on a `contiguity lifting property'. An alternative approach based on \textit{E. G. Minian}'s cylinder construction, [in: Actas del VIII congreso de matemática ``Dr. Antonio A. R. Monteiro''. Bahía Blanca: Universidad Nacional del Sur, Instituto de Matemática. 99--119 (2006; Zbl 1141.55012)], is explored and is shown to lead to an equivalent theory. These two notions then lead to analogues of various classical results, but with a definite more combinatorial aspect in evidence. An important observation leads to the concept of simplicial finite-fibration. A useful example of these are the path fibrations, \(PK\to K\times K\), where \(PK\), as introduced by \textit{M. Grandis} [Appl. Categ. Struct. 10, No. 2, 99--155 (2002; Zbl 0994.55011)], is the simplicial complex of Moore paths in \(K\). This result allows one to prove that any simplicial map factors through a finite-fibration, up to a \(P\)-homotopy equivalence. The paper also considers links with simplicial versions of LS-category, relating the LS-category of the total space, the base and the generic fibre, and with the notion of simplicial topological complexity as introduced by the authors in several previous papers. The paper provides an excellent clear summary and introduction to the homotopy theory of simplicial complexes as well as exploring the newer results on analogues of fibrations.